New Year's Day- A day in the Valley, Yosemite that is

New Year's Day-Post Run

After my "epic" run went back to the room where Cindy and Skye were getting set to head to the dining room for our "free" complimentary breakfast. Went in expecting, some fruit, muffins and cereal, you know the typical continental fare, but was happily surprised by an amazing spread. However I let my hunger get the best of me and pigged out.

Ooops.

Afterward we headed out to Yosemite Valley, luckily I chained up Prius the day before when it was sunny and dry. The journey there and back was intense and an experience worthy of its own post, so more on that later.

First pic and fb post of the day

Photo ops is what Yosemite Valley is all about, but honestly not even the master, Ansel Adams could catch the awesomeness that nature is.



But it's fun to try.

We parked and then hit the Village, the Visitor Center, the Ansel Adam gallery all in quick order, the beauty is outside after all, not to mention we were starving. So off to the Ahwahnee for a bite to eat. After some snacks and drinks, we decided to jump on the shuttle bus. It was getting colder and time was creeping up on us fast. I didn't really want make the drive in the dark.

But what trip to Yosemite would be complete without a quick hike to see the Falls?



The falls were especially beautiful in the winter, even though you could barely see the Upper Falls with dense clouds.




Well worth the walk and the time.



Too many beautiful pics to choose from




The power of water and the erosion process is taken to another level at Yosemite

Do Not Feed The Bears
or
The Deer
or
Any of the Wildlife

We were on our way back to the car when we came upon this "When Animals Attack" episode waiting to happen.



Mom look how tame Bambi is



Skye getting in on the photo-oping.





The mom was a few steps away taking pictures, the dad was meekly trying to stop the foolishness. It wasn't till seconds after this pic when the deer halfheartedly tried to kick the kid that both parents realized their stupidity. Luckily she just got a bit of fear put in her, hopefully they all learned a lesson.



This coyote stopped traffic, mostly just people taking pictures although invariably some one tossed it some food.

DO NOT FEED THE ANIMALS

I wish I were better at this whole picture-taking thing



Some scenes you couldn't take a bad photo even if you tried.




Every second made for a different picture

And everyone was trying to take the perfect photo.

We can try can't we,
but nothing like being there.